HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College men's basketball team lost 66-65 to visiting Framingham State University on Saturday afternoon at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in non-conference action.
THE BASICS
Score: Framingham State 66, New England College 65
Records: Pilgrims 0-3 | Rams 4-1
TURNING POINTS
- The Pilgrims, leading by six at the half, went up by eight with 8:37 remaining in the game after a three-pointer by NEC sophomore guard Mike Strazzeri (Chichester, N.H.). But the final minutes saw the Rams slowly chipped away at the deficit, using a 15-7 run capped off with a pair of free throws by Framingham State freshman forward Marshall Kerley (Phoenix, Ariz.) to tie it up at 60-60 with 2:29 to go. A three-pointer by NEC freshman guard Theisen Lee (Cincinnati, Ohio) put the 'Grims back up by five with 1:37 left before a series of late-game miscues went against the hosts. With the Rams down one with 19 seconds remaining, a coast-to-coast layup from FSU sophomore guard Makyle Hayes (Boston, Mass.) gave the visitors their first lead of the half. A non-call resulting in a turnover in the closing seconds went against the Pilgrims, robbing them of their first win of the season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC senior guard Alex Williams (Miramar, Fla.) had the second-highest scoring total of his career, finishing with 24 points, 14 rebounds and three assists on nine-of-eleven shooting.
- FSU senior guard Adonis Vashon (Grand Rapids, Mich.) led the Rams with 18 points and six rebounds, shooting three-of-six from behind the arc. Framingham senior guard Kyle Philistin (North Plainfield, N.J.) added 17 before fouling out.
- Lee stepped up his game for the Pilgrims, scoring 12 points on fifty percent shooting with five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
- On their final three possessions, NEC had a missed jumper, two missed free throws and a turnover in the closing seconds. Free-throw shooting also proved critical as the Pilgrims shot 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from the line compared to 75 percent (12-of-16) for the Rams.
UP NEXT
- Up next for NEC, the team travels to Plymouth State on Tuesday for a 6:00 p.m. game.
- Framingham hosts Roger Williams University on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in their next contest.
